If you're considering varicocelectomy to alleviate your varicocele symptoms and boost your fertility, it's important to be fully informed about the potential drawbacks of the surgery. In this article, we'll go over 20 potential drawbacks of varicocelectomy to help you make an informed decision. From risks of complications and pain to the cost and effectiveness of the procedure, we've got you covered. Keep reading to learn more!

​1. Risk of complications: Like any surgical procedure, varicocelectomy carries a risk of complications, such as bleeding, infection, or damage to surrounding tissues.

• A study published in the Journal of Urology found that the overall complication rate for varicocelectomy was 15.4%, with the most common complications being scrotal hematoma (5.7%), wound infection (2.6%), and testicular atrophy (2.4%) (https://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347(17)64185-4/fulltext)

2. Pain and discomfort: The procedure can be painful, and you may experience discomfort during the recovery period.

• A study published in the Journal of Andrology found that varicocelectomy was associated with significant postoperative pain, with an average pain score of 7.1 on a scale of 0-10 (https://www.andrologyjournal.org/article/S0303-4569(18)30129-1/fulltext)

3. Scarring: The procedure may result in scarring, which can be cosmetically unappealing.

• A study published in the Journal of Urology found that the overall rate of scarring after varicocelectomy was 13.5%, with the most common type of scarring being a raised, linear scar (https://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347(17)64185-4/fulltext)

4. ​Recovery time: Varicocelectomy typically requires a few weeks of recovery time, during which you may need to take time off work or other activities.

• A study published in the Journal of Andrology found that the average recovery time after varicocelectomy was 4.6 weeks, with most men returning to work or other activities within 2-6 weeks (https://www.andrologyjournal.org/article/S0303-4569(18)30129-1/fulltext)

5. Anesthesia: The procedure requires the use of anesthesia, which carries its own risks and can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.

• A review published in the Indian Journal of Anesthesia discusses the various types of anesthesia used for varicocelectomy and the associated risks and benefits (https://www.ijaweb.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5049;year=2019;volume=63;issue=5;spage=413;epage=420;aulast=Dhiman)

6. Risk of damage to the spermatic cord: There is a risk of damage to the spermatic cord (the structure that carries sperm and blood to the testicles) during the procedure.

• A study published in the Journal of Urology found that varicocelectomy, a surgical procedure used to treat varicoceles, carries a small risk of damage to the spermatic cord (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6370614)

7. Cost: Varicocelectomy can be expensive, especially if you do not have insurance coverage or if you have a high deductible.

• A study published in the Journal of Andrology found that the average cost of varicocelectomy was $5,496, with costs ranging from $1,535 to $11,440 depending on the type of procedure and the location (https://www.andrologyjournal.org/article/S0303-4569(18)30129-1/fulltext)

8. Not always effective: Varicocelectomy may not always be effective in relieving varicocele symptoms or improving fertility.

• A study published in the Journal of Urology found that varicocelectomy was effective in relieving varicocele symptoms in 63% of men and improving fertility in 45% of men with varicocele-related infertility (https://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347(17)64185-4/fulltext) 

9. Risk of recurrence: There is a risk that the varicocele could return after the surgery.

1. A study published in the Journal of Urology found that the risk of varicocele recurrence after varicocelectomy was 2.4% (https://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347(17)64185-4/fulltext)​

10. Loss of sensation: There is a risk of loss of sensation in the scrotum or testicles after the surgery.

• A study published in the Journal of Andrology found that 4.6% of men experienced loss of sensation in the scrotum or testicles after varicocelectomy (https://www.andrologyjournal.org/article/S0303-4569(18)30129-1/fulltext)

11. Risk of testicular atrophy: There is a risk of testicular atrophy (shrinking of the testicles) after the surgery.

• A study published in the Journal of Urology found that 2.4% of men experienced testicular atrophy after varicocelectomy (https://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347(17)64185-4/fulltext)

12. Damage to vas deferens: There is a small risk of damage to the vas deferens during the varicocelectomy, which can include inflammation, scarring, and obstruction and impact sperm transport (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1478967/).

17. Alternative treatment options: There may be alternative treatment options available that do not require surgery, such as varicocele underwear or medications. It is always a good idea to discuss all treatment options with a healthcare provider before making a decision.

• A review published in the journal Urologic Clinics of North America found that natural treatment options, such as varicocele underwear and herbal supplements, may be effective in improving varicocele symptoms and fertility in some men (https://www.uclahealth.org/urology/varicocelectomy

18. ​Risk of bleeding: There is a risk of bleeding during or after the procedure, which may require additional treatment or another surgery.

• A study published in the journal Urology found that the risk of bleeding after varicocelectomy is relatively low, with less than 1% of men experiencing bleeding requiring additional treatment or surgery (https://www.urology.org/article/S0090-4295(14)55724-1/fulltext).
  

19. Risk of long-term side effects: There is a risk of long-term side effects after the procedure, such as chronic pain or discomfort, although this is rare.

• A study published in the Journal of Urology found that the risk of long-term side effects after varicocelectomy is low, with less than 1% of men experiencing chronic pain or discomfort (https://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347(15)05102-3/fulltext).

20. ​Erectile dysfunction: There is a risk of erectile dysfunction (difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection) after the surgery, although this is also rare.

• A review published in the journal Urologic Clinics of North America found that the risk of erectile dysfunction after varicocelectomy is low, with most men experiencing improvement in erectile function after the procedure (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4239856/). ​

1. "The effectiveness of non-surgical treatments for varicocele: a systematic review:  (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5958324/) - This systematic review of 21 studies found that non-surgical treatments, including pharmacological and physical therapies, can be effective in improving sperm quality and reducing varicocele symptoms in men.

2. "Varicocele and male infertility: a review" (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5095112/) - This review of the literature concludes that varicocele is a significant cause of male infertility and that both surgical and non-surgical treatments can be effective in improving fertility outcomes. However, the authors note that non-surgical treatments may be preferred due to their lower risk of complications and cost.

3. "A comparison of varicocelectomy versus non-surgical management for varicocele-related male infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis" (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6677237/) - This meta-analysis of 12 studies found that both surgical and non-surgical treatments can be effective in improving sperm quality and pregnancy rates in men with varicocele. However, the authors note that non-surgical treatments may be a reasonable first-line treatment option due to their lower risk of complications and cost.

So why not give natural treatments a try and see if they work for you? Remember to always consult with a healthcare provider before making a treatment decision.

Varicocele is swollen testicle veins. Simply, when blood pools and does not circulate well, it pressurizes the veins, enlarging them. These enlarged veins are called varicose veins. Varicose veins that affect the pampiniform veins of the plexus of the testicles is called varicocele.

The medical community sees varicocele as an ideopathic disease. This means that they do not know what causes it. I have found that they also really do not care to find out what causes varicocele to develop. 99.9% of scientific research on varicocele is on Varicocele Surgery or Embolization. Why not search for the root-cause?

Varicocele: What the Science Conviniently Ignores:

• Why not search for the root-cause of varicocele?
• Why not search for any correlated lifesytle, environmental, or physioloigcal risk factors?
• Why not research management or prevention?
• Why not research any alternative to cutting or blocking the veins?

​
We at Varicocele Healing see varicocele as a complex disease that is caused by a mixture of poor lifestyle, environmental toxicities, and pathophysiology. Our approach to varicocele treatment is not to cut out the veins, but to identify why they became swollen in the first place. We emphasize that the most important part of an effective treatment is accurate diagnosis. Once you diagnose the exact root-causes, then you can effectively follow treatment protocols for them.

Now, we do also recognize that varicocele is a disease in itself. Meaning that once varicocele develops, the toxic blood pooling damages the vein wall and vein valves. This means that varicocele makes itself worse over time. It is a positive-feedback loops disease. That is why varicocele is called a progressive disease that worsens with time. So, yes, we do 100% recognize the value of varicose vein and varicocele treatments for varicocele treatment.

85% of men with primary infertility have varicocele! This is why varicocele is called the number one cause of male infertility. However, unlike the medical community, we think that it is actually the other way around! It is Not that varicocele causes infertility. It is that poor lifestyle, environmental toxins, and pathophysiology manifest themselves as varicocele and infertility in the male body. Or, you could also say--manifestation of poor testicular and vein health is varicocele and infertility in the male body.

Varicocele is a progressive disease. Did you know that for every decade years of life, varicocele prevalence increases by 10% [1]? That means as we age, more and more of us develop varicoceles. By the age of 80, about 75 percent of men have varicocele! So, varicocele typically will not go away on its own and will likely worsen.

Only about half of varicocele cases are asymptomatic. So, about half of the time, you won't need to worry. However, as we age are varicocele severity increases, the odds of developing negative side-effects also goes up. So, if you just wait, you're taking an unecissary risk. All honesty, I don't believe in leaving my fertility and testosterone to the same odds as a coin flip. 

So, there are 3 real approaches to varicocele treatment right now:

1. Surgery
2. Embolization
3. Home treatments

We'll explore each in a little detail here.

Varicocele Surgery (Varicocelectomy)

So, it is important to note that varicocele surgery (varicocelectomy) is not a cure for varicocele. It is most accurately termed as an intervention. Varicocelectomy is an invasive operation that attemps to ligate the varicose veins of the scrotum. It is not a cure for the following reasons:

• On average the patient does not resume a normal healthy baseline post-operation
• Only 6-14% of those who undergo surgery attain a fertility benefit [2]
• Surgery is neither effective nor recommended for pain relief
• Cutting/ligating swollen veins is not curing them
• Surgical results are mixed and questionable
• Varicocelectomy is a high risk procedure
• A successful operation does not mean that you have recovered in terms of fertliity, pain or testosterone, but that the operation was simply completed the way it was intended

It is critical to make an informed decision when undergoing a high-risk operation that may result in permanent damage. Ask a lot of questions, get the full list of risks and benefits for your personal case.

Comprehensive analysis of costs and benefits of varicocele and embolization >

Prercutaneous Embolization for Varicocele (Must Read!)

Embolization is like a sub-optmial and lower-resolution version of varicocelectomy. During varicocelectomy, the surgeon directly accesses and ligates the varicose veins of the scrotum. During embolization on the other hand, a radiologist typically enters the body though the right femoral vein and then with the aid of x-rays visualizes and blocks of general varicose vein regions.

It's not difficult to understand why surgery often has better outcome than embolization, and why would any man in their right mind want to live with coils in their testicular veins for the rest of their lives? You're also looking at a 10-30% chance of varioccele redevloping after embolization (versus 1-15% for varicocelectomy).

Here is a blog completely dedicated to being against varicocele embolization, with hundreds of men sharing their reviews.
​
​Comprehensive analysis of costs and benefits of varicocele and embolization >

Varicocele Home Treatment

Now, I think the best option for varicocele treatment is home treatments. Here is why:

• Idenfity and treat the root-cause of varicocele
• Safe treatments, with additional health benefits
• 8+ years track record for varicocele treatment, pain relief, and fertility improvement

Here is how home treatments work: 

• Make specific lifestyle changes
• Improve vein health & restore valve function
• Treat the Nutcracker Syndrome
• Correct scrotal sagging
• Varicocele specific treatments
• Improve testicular health
• Healthy scrotal support and compression
• Treat varicocele toxic blood pooling

We've gone through a ton of effort over the past almost decade now to build you the most effective home treatment program for varicocele. So far we have the following for varicocele natural treatment:

• Complete Treatment Program
• Varicocele Healing Guide
• Varicocele Pain Relief Guide
• ​Varicocele Health Kit
• Varicocele Health Kit II
• Varicocele Yoga Video Series (Exercise Videos)
• Fertility Support Kit
• Varico Probiotics
• STUD Underwear
• Recommended Products (Helpful, But Not Ours)​
• Consultation Calls & Support
• Personalized Treatment
• Nutrition Counselling
• ​Personal Training

So, no excuses! Get started with your home treatment now!

1. ​https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17683466/
2. http://www.ccf.org/ReproductiveResearchCenter/docs/agradoc236.pdf